By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s camp is fighting the Philippine National Police’s cancellation of his firearms licenses, even as authorities continue efforts to account for dozens of guns still in his possession.
PNP Civil Security Group chief PMGen. Aden Lagradante said Monday that only 26 of Dela Rosa’s 117 registered firearms had been turned over, leaving 91 still unaccounted for.
Lagradante said Dela Rosa’s legal team has filed for reconsideration with the police Firearms and Explosives Office, while coordination continues over the remaining weapons.
The PNP revoked Dela Rosa’s License to Own and Possess Firearms and the registrations of all 117 guns, citing Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, earlier said the revocation would be challenged, arguing that the law’s provisions cited by police do not specifically make a foreign-court warrant an independent basis for cancelling firearms privileges.
Lagradante said the matter remains administrative for now when asked if Dela Rosa could face an illegal possession complaint over the firearms that have yet to be surrendered.
ia/xf
